Manitoba Liberals Target Mental Health in Platform

Manitoba’s Liberal party has released the first part of its platform targeting mental health issues and ensuring Manitobans are covered to see a psychologist under Medicare.

Leader Rana Bokhari outlined her vision on Wednesday, saying one in five Canadians suffer from mental health issues and the province can’t afford to remain last when it comes to accessing mental health care specialists.

“We all know someone who experiences mental health issues on a daily basis,” Bokhari said. “Whether it is a parent, a child, a sibling or a friend – mental health issues affect us all.”

Bokhari’s plan would see psychologists across the province funded in a similar way to physicians. Critical priority areas such as services for children, pregnant women and individuals with depression and PTSD would be covered by Medicare.

The Liberals also revealed a plan to increase funding for hiring and retaining more psychologists in Manitoba, pledging to invest $20 million over four years to train, recruit and retain new psychologists in Manitoba.